Molded storage tray for concessions

ABSTRACT

A storage tray supportable in a beverage holder of an armrest, the storage container including a body member having a base and a plurality of sloping side walls extending outwardly from the base and terminating at an upper edge. The base having one or more stiffening rib members extending upwardly from the base and converging towards a dividing rib member, the dividing rib member extending between at least two sloping side walls and defining a first concession compartment and a second compartment in the base. The first concession compartment formed with a beverage recess member extending downwardly from the base, the beverage recess formed with an outer wall and a bottom wall, the outer wall and the bottom wall dimensioned for frictionally engaging with the beverage holder of the armrest for supporting the body member in a substantially horizontal plane. The storage tray further including a tray member optionally positioned upon a peripheral rim for enclosing the first and second concession compartments, wherein the peripheral rim supportingly engaging at least a portion of the tray member and maintaining the tray member in a substantially horizontal plane.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a molded storage tray, and in particular to a molded storage tray supportable in a beverage holder in an armrest for storing one or more concessions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Storage containers and trays are commonly provided at entertainment and sporting events for storing and transporting concessions. These concessions may include popcorn, candy, hot dogs and carbonated beverages which patrons purchase from concession stands and consume in the comfort of their respective chairs at the entertainment or sporting event. In many instances, providing patrons with a convenient means for storing and enjoying concessions at their respective chairs adds to their overall enjoyment of the entertainment or sporting events.

Given that concession sales represent a sizeable source of revenue for entertainment and sport event operators, many operators have sought convenient means for enabling patrons to transport and enjoy purchased concessions at their chairs during such events. This need is addressed to some extent by commercially available pre-formed, rigid trays that are adapted for repetitive uses by patrons over an extended period of time. Such rigid trays are commonly used in cafeteria settings and are manufactured from durable materials such as, for example, plastic and metal. While trays manufactured from rigid materials are able to withstand multiple uses, they can be cumbersome for patrons to comfortably carry and position on their lap while enjoying the entertainment or sporting event. Moreover, the bulky nature of these rigid trays make them unsuitable for use in the confined spaces behind most concession stands.

Alternative rigid trays have been developed which have integrally formed beverage holders that are adapted to be received within cup holders formed in the chair arms at most entertainment and sporting events. By positioning a beverage or similarly weighted concession within the beverage holder, the rigid tray is substantially stabilized in relation to the cup holder of the chair. While rigid trays having beverage holders that are inserted into the cup holders of chairs provide a convenient means for patrons to enjoy their concessions and beverages, such rigid trays are prone to instability when the concessions are removed from the beverage holders. This instability often results in the concessions toppling over on the patrons and the aisles of the entertainment and sporting events. Moreover, these rigid trays often extend along the chair arm, thereby blocking the patrons from resting their elbows and arms on the chair arm. The interference of these rigid trays over prolonged entertainment and sporting events may cause patrons to experience poor posture and discomfort in their shoulders and back. Of course, upon consuming the concessions, the patron could opt to remove the rigid tray from the chair arm and discard it on the floor beneath their respective chairs. However, in most entertainment and sporting events, there is often minimal space beneath the chairs for disposing of the bulky rigid trays. Consequently, as patrons are entering and exiting from the entertainment and sporting event, the discarded rigid trays along the aisles pose a serious trip hazard. Moreover, in view of the unsanitary conditions of the floors of most entertainment and sporting events, the discarded rigid trays must be collected by event personnel and thoroughly cleaned before the trays may be provided to subsequent patrons. The collection and cleaning of the rigid trays in this manner results in a considerable additional expense for the operators of entertainment and sporting events.

Accordingly, there is a need for a concession tray which allows for more convenient storage and support of one or more concessions in relation to the cup holder in a chair arm. There is a further need for a concession tray which does not interfere with the patron's enjoyment of the concessions and/or the entertainment or sporting event. There is also a need for a low cost concession tray which does not require cleaning or other cumbersome facilities for storing and handling the trays. Moreover, there is a need for a single use concession tray which may be recycled following use by patrons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a storage tray that is supportable in a beverage holder of an armrest in a seating structure. In particular, the present invention is directed to a storage tray consisting of a body member having a base and a plurality of sloping side walls extending outwardly from the base and terminating at an upper edge. The base is provided with one or more stiffening ribs extending upwardly from the base and converging towards a dividing rib member. The dividing rib member extends between at least two sloping side walls and defining a first concession compartment and a second compartment in the base. The body member is manufactured of molded pulp material.

The first concession compartment formed in the body member has a beverage recess member extending downwardly from the base. The beverage recess has an outer wall and a bottom wall. The outer wall and the bottom wall being dimensioned for frictionally engaging with the beverage holder of the armrest for supporting the body member in a substantially horizontal plane.

The second concession compartment may be formed with a stand member extending downwardly from the base and having a lower stand wall for supporting the body member on a flat surface. The bottom wall and the lower stand wall are substantially aligned in a common horizontal plane and cooperate to support the body member in a common horizontal plane and cooperate to support the body member in a substantially horizontal plane on a flat surface.

The stiffening rib members provided in the base extending between the sloping side walls and the dividing rib member. The stiffening rib members having a first end integrally formed with the sloping side walls and a second end integrally formed with the dividing rib member. Each of the one or more stiffening rib members gradually tapering from the first end to the second end. The height of each of the stiffening rib members at the second end is greater than the height of each of the stiffening rib members at the first end. By this design, the one or more stiffening rib members are adaptable for resisting deformation of the body member when one or more concessions are stored within the first and second concession compartments and the body member is supportingly engaged in the beverage holder of the armrest. The one or more stiffening rib members defining one or more concessions recesses in the base of the second concession compartment. Each of the one or more concession recesses adapted to accommodate one or more concessions.

Each of the side wall portions are formed with a peripheral rim proximate to the upper edge of the body member. A tray member may be optionally positioned upon the peripheral rim for enclosing the first and second concession compartments, wherein the peripheral rim supportingly engaging at least a portion of the tray member and maintaining the tray member in a substantially horizontal plane. Alternatively, the tray member optionally positioned upon the peripheral rim and the dividing rib member for enclosing the first and second concession compartments. By this design, the peripheral rim and the dividing rib member supportingly engaging at least a portion of the tray member and maintaining the tray member in a substantially horizontal plane. The tray member is formed with at least one beverage cup aperture that vertically aligns with the beverage recess member in the first concession compartment when the tray member supportingly engaged in the peripheral rim. The tray member providing a substantially planar surface for supporting one or more concessions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show preferred embodiments of the present invention, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a storage tray made in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention supported in a substantially horizontal plane in relation to an armreset of a seating structure;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the storage tray of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the storage tray of FIG. 1 along section A-A;

FIG. 4 is an end elevation view of the second concession compartment of the storage tray of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an end elevation view of the first concession compartment of the storage tray of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the storage tray of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the storage tray of FIG. 1 having a tray member made in accordance with a first alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the storage tray and tray member of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the storage tray and tray member of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of the recessed beverage member of the storage tray of FIG. 1 being inserted into the beverage holder in the armrest member of the seating structure;

FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of the storage tray of FIG. 1 supported in a generally horizontal plane in relation to the armrest member of the seating structure;

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of storage tray of FIG. 1 positioned adjacent to the seating structure;

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of the storage tray of FIG. 1 supported in a generally horizontal plane in relation to the armrest member of the seating structure; and

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of the storage tray of FIG. 13 having a tray member supporting one or more concessions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made to FIGS. 1-6 which illustrate a molded storage tray 10 for storing one or more concession made in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and shown generally as numeral 10.

Referring to FIGS. 12, 13 and 14, the storage tray 10 of the present invention is particularly well adapted for use in sporting and entertainment venues, such as theaters, stadiums, arenas and auditoriums, having a plurality of seating structures 12 formed with a pair of armrest members 14 and a beverage holder 16. The storage tray 10 is designed to enable a patron to conveniently position and support one or more concessions 18 purchased at a concession stand, such as, for example, popcorn, candy, hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, carbonated beverages, juices, milk and water, on the storage tray 10 in relation to the beverage holder 16 of the seating structure 12. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the seating structure 12 illustrated in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 and the various parts comprising the same are meant to depict a general embodiment of such seating structure 12 and is not meant in anyway to limit the scope of the invention. It should be understood that the storage tray 10 of the present invention may also be used in association with any suitable seating structure 12 having a beverage holder 16 at a sporting or entertainment venue.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, the storage tray 10 includes a generally rectangular body member 20 having a base 22 and a plurality of sloping side walls 24 extending outwardly from the base 22 and terminating at an upper edge 26. The sloping side walls 24 are angled outwardly from the base 22 so as to enable the convenient nesting and stacking of the plurality of storage trays 10, thereby reducing the space needed to store the storage tray 10 of the present invention. The sloping side walls 24 are formed with a peripheral rim 28 extending continuously around an upper edge 26 of the sloping side walls 24. The peripheral rim 28 provides added stiffness and strength to the storage tray 10 when supported in relation to the beverage holder 16 of the seating structure 12 (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3).

Referring to FIG. 1, the body member 20 further includes one or more stiffening rib members 30 and a dividing rib member 32, each extending upwardly from the base 22. Each of the one or more stiffening rib members 30 having a first end 34 proximate to the corresponding sloping side walls 24 and a second end 36 proximate to the dividing rib member 32. The first end 34 of each of the one or more stiffening rib members 30 is integrally formed with the sloping side walls 24 of the body member 20. Each of the one or more stiffening rib members 30 extend radially inwardly from the corresponding sloping side walls 24 towards the dividing rib member 32. The second end 36 of each of the one or more stiffening rib members 30 is integrally formed with the dividing rib member 32.

As shown in FIG. 3, the height of the one or more stiffening rib members 30 gradually increases from the first end 34 to the second end 36 as the stiffening rib members 30 approach the dividing rib member 32. By this design, the height of the stiffening rib member at the second end 36 is greater than the first end 34, thereby causing the storage tray 10 to act as a cantilever when positioned and supportingly engaged within the beverage holder 16 of the seating structure 12. The stiffening rib members 30 may have any suitable cross-sectional shape, such as, for example, a V-shape or a U-shape. The number of stiffening rib members 30 can vary depending upon the weight of the one or more concessions 18 to be stored and carried by a patron using the storage tray 10. Regardless of the number of stiffening rib members 30 formed in the base 22, the structural strength of the storage tray 10 is increased overall if the stiffening rib members 30 are oriented radially from the dividing rib member 32 to the respective sloping side walls 24 of the body member 20. Moreover, the radial orientation of the stiffening rib members 30 minimizes the likelihood of the storage tray 10 toppling laterally from the beverage holder 16 onto the lap of the patron seated adjacent to the storage tray 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, each of the one or more stiffening rib members 30 extending upwardly from the base 22 define one or more concession recesses 38 in the base 22 of the storage tray 10 for receiving the one or more concessions 18. Each of the one or more concession recesses 38 are particularly well-suited for conveniently storing concessions, such as, for example, hot dogs and chocolate bars, condiments, napkins and cutlery that the patron may utilize to enjoy the purchased concessions.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the dividing rib member 32 extends between at least two sloping side walls 24 to define a first concession compartment 40 and a second concession compartment 42 in the body member 20. The first concession compartment 40 has a generally rectangular shape and includes a beverage recess member 44 extending downwardly from the base 22. The beverage recess member 44 has a generally cylindrical shape and is formed with an outer wall 46 and an inner wall 48 that are tapered downwardly from the base 22 to a bottom wall 50. As shown in FIG. 11, the outer wall 46 of the beverage recess member 44 is dimensioned for positioning within and frictionally engaging against an inner surface 52 of the beverage holder 16 of the seating structure 12. By this design, the frictional engagement of the outer wall 46 of the beverage recess member 44 against the inner surface 52 of the beverage holder 16 maintains and supports the storage tray 10 in a generally horizontal plane in relation to the armrest member 14 of the seating structure 12 (as shown in FIG. 11). The beverage recess member 44 may be formed with a roughened surface to increase the frictional characteristics of the outer wall 46 and to strengthen the frictional engagement between the outer wall 46 of the beverage recess member 44 and the inner surface 52 of the beverage holder 16.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the inner wall 48 of the beverage recess member 44 defines an upper opening 56 which is dimensioned for receiving one or more concessions 18, such as a beverage container 58 (as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11). The inner wall 48 of the beverage recess member 44 also defines the dimensions of the bottom wall 50. The bottom wall 50 is adapted for providing a flat surface for supporting the beverage container 58 placed within the beverage recess member 44. When the patron purchases a beverage container 58 at the concession stand, the beverage container 58 can be placed downwardly through the upper opening 56 of the beverage recess member 44 and supported on the bottom wall 50. Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the patron may then conveniently and safely carry the storage tray 10 containing the beverage container 58 and the one or more concessions 18 to their seat within the entertainment or sporting venue.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 6, the body member 20 may be formed with one or more stand members 60 extending downwardly from the base 22 in the second concession compartment 42. Each of the one or more stand members 60 are formed with an outer stand wall 62. The outer stand wall 62 tapers downwardly towards a bottom stand wall 64. The bottom stand wall 64 of the one or more stand members 60 is generally co-planar and level with the bottom wall 50 of the beverage recess member 44 for maintaining the storage tray 10 generally horizontal when positioned on a flat surface, such as the serving counter at the concession stand (not shown).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the storage tray 10 is molded from a pulp or similar fibrous material having sufficient strength charactertistics to support the weight of one or more concessions 18 positioned within the body member 20. As well, the pulp or similar fibrous material should possess sufficient strength characteristics to minimize the deformation of the storage tray 10 when it is positioned and frictionally engaged within the beverage holder 16 of the seating structure 12. A pulp or similar fibrous material is particularly well suited for storage trays 10 utilized in entertainment and sport venues because it is inexpensive and recylable. Moreover, such materials have favourable thermal insultative properties for facilitating the convenient storing of cold or hot concessions within the storage tray 10.

The pulp or fibrous material may be formed into shape of the storage tray 10 of the present invention using any known technique in the art, such as, for example, injection molding. It should be understood that the storage tray 10 of the present invention may also be manufactured from any suitable cardboard sheet material capable of being thermally-formed into the shape of the storage tray 10.

In a first alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the storage tray 10 includes a tray member 66 adaptable for positioning over the first and second concession compartment 38 and 40 and for supporting one or more concessions 18. The tray member 66 has a generally planar shape with a top surface 68 for supporting one or more concessions 18 and a bottom surface 70 supported by the body member 20. The tray member 66 has an outer edge 72 which is dimensioned to be at least partially received within the body member 20 proximate to the peripheral rim 28. The bottom surface 70 of the tray member 66 adjacent to the outer edge 72 is supported by the peripheral rim 28 of the body member 20. As shown in FIG. 7, the bottom surface 70 of the tray member 66 may also be supported by the one or more stiffening rib members 30 and dividing rib member 32 extending upwardly from the base 22. By this design, tray member 66 will not deform or buckle under the weight of the one or more concessions 18 supported on the top surface 68 of the tray member 66.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the tray member 66 in the first alternative embodiment of the present invention has at least one beverage aperture 74 formed therein. The at least one beverage aperture 74 is formed by a score line 76 and is made readily puncturable by a centre score line 78. The centre score line 78 divides a first aperture section 80 and a second aperture section 82 in the at least one beverage aperture 74. The score line 76 may be formed with one or more retainer sections 84 formed from the top surface 68 of the tray member 66 such that the first and second aperture sections 80 and 82 do not fall into the interior of the body member 20, and particularly the recessed beverage member when the beverage container 58 is inserted through the at least one beverage aperture 74.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 9, the at least one beverage aperture 74 is designed to align with the upper opening 56 of the beverage recess member 44 when the tray member 66 is positioned within the body member 20. When the tray member 66 is positioned within the body member 20, the beverage container 58 may be inserted downwardly into the at least one beverage aperture 74 in the tray member 66 and through the upper opening 56 into the beverage recess member 44 of the body member 20. The first and second aperture sections 74 and 76 pivot downwardly about the one or more retainer sections 84 so as not to interfere with the positioning of the beverage container 58 within the recessed beverage member 44.

The tray member 66 is preferably made of a cardboard material, such as, for example, solid or corrugated cardboard. However, it should be understood by a person skilled in the art of the present invention that any other suitable material having sufficient strength and stiffness to support the weight of one or more concessions 18 may be utilized with the storage tray 10 made in accordance with the first alternative embodiment of the present invention.

In use, the patron may place one or more concessions 18 within the first and second concession compartments 38 and 40 in the body member 20 of the storage tray 10. A beverage container 58 may be inserted downwardly into the recessed beverage member 44 formed in the first concession compartment 40. If the patron has positioned a tray member 66 within the body member 20 of the storage tray 10, the beverage container 58 may be inserted downwardly through the at least one aperture in the tray member 66 and then into the recessed beverage member. Additional one or more concessions 18, such as popcorn, may then be placed upon the top surface 68 of the tray member 66 and supported by the storage tray 10. Referring to FIGS. 12, 13 and 14, upon returning to their respective seating structure 12 at the entertainment or sporting event, the patron inserts the bottom wall 50 of the recessed beverage member 44 into the beverage holder 16 provided in the armrest of the seating structure 12. The frictional engagement of the outer wall 46 of the recessed beverage member against the inner surface 52 of the beverage holder 16 maintains and supports the storage tray 10 in a generally horizontal plane in relation to the beverage holder 16 and armrest member 14 of the seating structure 12. The storage tray 10 of the present invention possesses many advantages over conventional storage trays for concessions utilized at entertainment and sporting events. For example, the storage tray 10 is adapted to be supported in a cantilever manner outwardly from the beverage holder 16 of a seating structure 12 so as not to interfere with the use of the armrest member 14 by the patron in the entertainment or sporting venue. Existing storage trays must be precariously positioned upon a patron's lap or armrest member 14. Moreover, the storage tray 10 of the present invention is manufactured from a light weight recyclable pulp or similar fibrous material, rather than a rigid plastic material that must be repeatedly washed to maintain its sanitary condition.

While what has been shown and described herein constitutes a preferred embodiment of the subject invention, it should be understood that various modifications and adaptations of such embodiment can be made without departing from the present invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims. 

1. A storage tray supportable in a beverage holder of an armrest, the storage container comprising: a body member having a base and a plurality of sloping side walls extending outwardly from the base and terminating at an upper edge, the base having one or more stiffening rib members extending upwardly from the base and converging towards a dividing rib member, the dividing rib member extending between at least two sloping side walls and defining a first concession compartment and a second compartment in the base.
 2. A storage tray as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first concession compartment formed with a beverage recess member extending downwardly from the base, the beverage recess member an outer wall and a bottom wall, the outer wall and the bottom wall dimensioned for frictionally engaging with the beverage holder of the armrest for supporting the body member in a substantially horizontal plane.
 3. A storage tray as claimed in claim 2, wherein the body member formed with one or stand members extending downwardly from the base and having a bottom stand wall, wherein the bottom stand wall adaptable for supporting the body member on a flat surface.
 4. A storage tray as claimed in claim 3, wherein the bottom wall of the beverage recess member and the bottom stand wall of the one or more stand members are substantially aligned in a common horizontal plane and cooperate to support the body member in a substantially horizontal plane on a flat surface.
 5. A storage tray as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more stiffening rib members extending between the sloping side walls and the dividing rib member, each of the one or more stiffening rib members having a first end integrally formed with the sloping side walls and a second end integrally formed with the dividing rib member.
 6. A storage tray as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the one or more stiffening rib members gradually tapering from the first end to the second end, and wherein the height of each of the stiffening rib members at the second end is greater than the height of each of the stiffening rib members at the first end.
 7. A storage tray as claimed in claim 6, wherein the one or more stiffening rib members adapted for resisting deformation of the body member when one or more concessions are stored within the first and second concession compartments and the body member is supportingly engaged in the beverage holder of the armrest.
 8. A storage tray as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more stiffening rib members defining one or more concessions recesses in the base of the second concession compartment, wherein each of the one or more concession recesses adapted to accommodate one or more concessions.
 9. A storage tray as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the sloping side wall portions are formed with a peripheral rim proximate to the upper edge of the body member.
 10. A storage tray as claimed in claim 9, wherein a tray member optionally positioned upon the peripheral rim for enclosing the first and second concession compartments, wherein the peripheral rim supportingly engaging at least a portion of the tray member and maintaining the tray member in a substantially horizontal plane.
 11. A storage tray as claimed in claim 10, wherein the tray member positioned upon the peripheral rim and the dividing rib member for enclosing the first and second concession compartments, wherein the peripheral rim and the dividing rib member supportingly engaging at least a portion of the tray member and maintaining the tray member in a substantially horizontal plane.
 12. A storage tray as claimed in claim 10, wherein the tray member is formed with at least one beverage aperture, the at least one beverage aperture vertically aligning with the beverage recess member in the first concession compartment when the tray member is supportingly engaged in the peripheral rim.
 13. A storage tray as claimed in claim 10, wherein the tray member providing a substantially planar surface for supporting one or more concessions
 14. A storage container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body member is manufactured of molded pulp. 